10. Rubbing a person with a fever with alcohol or vinegar

Doing it right: A fever can be alleviated by drinking a lot and cool air in the room (61-64°F). If these conditions are observed, the patient will get over the fever, if it’s not too high, by themselves.

9. Lifting up an unconscious person

Why it’s wrong: If someone faints, don’t try lifting them or sprinkling cold water on them — it’ll just aggravate the spasm. After they regain consciousness, don’t let them drink coffee or energy drinks: caffeine will lead to dehydration.

Doing it right: Lift the person’s legs up, unbutton any tight items of clothing, and don’t let them stand right after they come around.

8. Using butter or sour cream to treat burns

Why it’s wrong: The only reason you’ll feel better after this is because the substance is cold on the burn. The danger here, though, is that butter or sour cream dries and creates a film, disrupting thermal exchange (heat goes deeper and does more damage).

Doing it right: Hold the burned area in cool water for 15 minutes. Never burst the burn blister as that will remove the protective layer and leave the wound open for infections that may lead to festering.

7. Setting a bone on your own

Why it’s wrong: You shouldn’t set a dislocated joint on your own as it may result in additional injuries.

Doing it right: Immobilize the injured limb, and get the victim to the hospital. The limb mustn’t be set forcefully. Instead, bandage it in a comfortable position, immobilizing not only the place of possible fracture but the 2 closest joints as well.

6. Applying warmth to a sprain

Why it’s wrong: A warm cloth won’t help if your muscles are sprained. On the contrary, heat will strengthen the blood flow, leading to a more severe swelling.

Doing it right: Apply cold in the first days after an injury. It will lessen inflammation and pain. Ensure a minimum load on the injured limb for 48 hours.

5. Making yourself vomit in cases of poisoning

Why it’s wrong: The standard recommendation for poisoning is to make yourself vomit. However, it is strictly prohibited if you’ve been poisoned with acid, alkali, or other caustic substances.

Doing it right: Call an ambulance immediately. If you’re still sure vomiting will do you good, don’t use manganese, baking soda, or milk to induce it. Instead, drink lots of warm water.

4. Dealing with a foreign object in the eye

Doing it right: Cover the eye with gauze, and call a doctor. Only if it’s a chemical burn should you immediately wash the eye with water.

3. Pulling out objects from wounds

Why it’s wrong: You may pull a splinter from a finger or a small glass shard from your hand, but never attempt to pull objects from serious wounds. Doctors keep them in place until the patient is in surgery. Otherwise, bleeding will occur that may lead to death.

Doing it right: However scary a knife in a leg or a huge shard in the chest may look, take the person to the hospital instead of helping them pull the object out of their body.